STUDENT - THE CERTAINTY AND NECESSITY
OF SUFFERING
GET
ACQUAINTED - Relate either what hindered you most in coming to Christ or one of
your struggles as a Christian.
THE SUFFERING OF JESUS
List the statements of fact and progression of events described
by the verb forms in Mk.9:31.
Notice that
the same facts are stated in Mt.17:22-23
In Mt.17:10-13, what did Jesus compare His
sufferings to?
·
The
Bible not only gives us truth (statements of fact rooted in history, subject to
verification), it also gives us reasons (explanations rooted in a verifiable
history subject to the laws of logic).
What does
Jesus describe as a "must" in Lk.9:22
What points
did the angels make to the women at the empty tomb, Lk.24:6-7?
Later, on the
road to Emmaus (Lk.24:26), How does
Jesus put the rhetorical question to the disciples?
What does
Jesus do after asking that question and how does he proceed (v.27)?
What was the
disciples' response (v.32)?
Describe what
happened when Jesus later appeared to His disciples (v.44-45).
·
Lk.24 is one place where Scripture
impresses upon us that the substantiality of our faith is rooted in and grows
out of actual verifiable history, is logically understandable and sensible.
EXERCISE - Spend some time thinking through history as presented in
the Bible and write out your observations related to the question, "Why were Christ's suffering, death and
resurrection necessary?"
Comment on
the concept of necessity in Jn.3:1-15
at verses 7b and 14.
Why isn't
confession and forgiveness of individual sins enough?
Eph.4:22-24
Eph.2:3
Col.3:10
Rom.8:29
Answer.
THE SUFFERING OF HIS PEOPLE
How are we to view suffering because of our faith in Christ,
Mt.5:10-12?
·
In
God's plan, suffering was the path to glory not only for Jesus, but is also the
path for those who follow Him.
Christians suffer persecution for identifying with Christ (following
Him) in the practice of (1) calling themselves by His name, (2) witnessing to
His glory, (3) living righteously unto Him
Explain Lk.11:47-51.
Is this not
what Stephen condemned the not true Israelites for (Acts 7:51-53)?
How does the parable at Lk.20:9-19 dramatizes
EXERCISE - Think through the history of the persecution of the
Church and write out your thoughts.
Bring a specific or personal instance to share.
If Christ
suffered for me, why do I have to suffer?
Why is
suffering part of God’s plan for His people?
Follow the
argument in Rom.8:15b-39.
Come prepared
to discuss one of the following passages.
Phil.1:27-30
1 Pt.4:12-19
Jn.15:18-21; 16:1-3
Mt.10:16-39
2 Tim.3:10-14a
Acts 14:22
Jn.16:33
1 Thes.3:2b-4
1 Cor.10:1-13
1 Pt.1:6-7